11 Sept 2022

Instruments in Indian tradition

Instruments in Indian tradition

Instruments have a high importance in Indian tradition. Tools have the same value as gods.

There are many Indian deities who carry tools in their hands. Deities without tools cannot be seen. The tool could be something like a scythe, sword, mace, bow, or pole.

Saraswati Puja is also known as Tools Puja. All instruments are celebrated on that one day. The tools of their profession are admired and reputed on that day.

When I was a small child there was a mason opposite our grandfather's house. He was one of the very few people who owned a bicycle in those days. It was a time when even bicycles had to be licensed.

The first thing he does after getting up in the morning after taking a bath is to clean the bicycle. He cleans for more than half an hour. After cleaning, he puts sandalwood in front of the bycyle, sprinkles saffron and prostrates in front of the bicyle.

It would be funny for him to do that to the passersby on the street. Eveyone would stop and watch him for a few minutes and leave.

Like everyone else, I have asked why he does this. I asked him one day. He said that the bicycle is his deity.

So I asked if there is no deity in the temple.

He said that is the deity, this is the deity, but for me the bicycle is the deity of the clan.

He went to work in many places on that bicycle. He starts work by leaving the bicycle parked in a very safe and shady place on his way to work.

Before starting the work, he would perform some pooja to all the tools for the work and leave them in prostration. He would ask his co-workers to do the same.

His appreciation of tools for work was immense. He was in great demand in the industry. It could be because of his way of worshiping the instruments and also because of the neatness of the work.

His devotion to working tools earned him the nickname of lucky mason.

He never shared his bicycle or tools with anyone until he reached the throes of old age. His son once tried to take his bicycle and hit him.

It must be said that he considered his tools above his wife and children. He was also a tool fanatic.

He attracted heavily on the importance given to instruments in the Indian tradition.

He would often say that the house he built and the wealth he acquired were his tools.

He also says that he married his wife because of his work ability. He would also say that everything in his life was happened by the power of tools. He was also a man who was proud of his tools. He was also a man with a fondness and appreciation for instruments.

You may also have seen many people who worshiped such tools as gods in Indian tradition. It must be said that the Indian relationship with instruments is somewhat divine.

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